The telecom department (DoT) had organized Swachhta Pakhwara or the cleanliness fortnight from November 1 to 15, 2016 to spread awareness and initiate localized Swachh Bharat drives together with all PSU firms across regions.

The cleanliness initiative under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan was however voluntary, but the government, according to Sinha is also planning to include possible spend in the coming Budget on February 1, 2017.

Sinha also lauded the top carrier Bharti Airtel’s half marathon to spread awareness about the Swachh Bharat drive on November 20 in New Delhi.

More than 35,000 individuals participated in the marathon in which several contingents carried posters and banners promoting government schemes such as Swachh Bharat mission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan on October 2, 2014 on the occasion of the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

A good amount of work was done under the Swachhta Pakhwara by our public-sector companies and post offices across Delhi and in places like Lucknow, Sinha added.

The government eyes to achieve clean India target by 2019 in order to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at a time when the country would be celebrating his 150th birth anniversary.